EXCLUSIVE: Rob Lowe has joined the cast of the romantic comedy from Amazon MGM Studios, which is directed by and stars Stephen Merchant, and features Cameron Diaz in the lead role.
The Primetime Emmy nominee for The West Wing is now part of an expanding ensemble cast, alongside Jake Lacy, Josh Segarra, Sherry Cola, Judith Light, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Fabrizio Guido, Lisa Gilroy, and Dustin Ybarra.
The screenplay, co-written by Merchant and John Butler, centers on a British workaholic employed at a high-end New York hotel (played by Merchant) who requires a wife for superficial reasons. A struggling stand-up comedienne (Diaz), desperate for health insurance, enters the picture. Their marriage of convenience begins as a mere arrangement but blossoms into an unforeseen romance. As previously reported, the film is being produced by Lee Eisenberg, Merchant, and Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Josh Fagen of Point Grey Pictures. Natalie Sandy is set to executive produce.
Lowe has earned two Emmy nominations, six Golden Globe nominations, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, securing two wins. His notable filmography includes roles in St. Elmo’s Fire, About Last Night, and The Outsiders, in addition to his work on Parks and Recreation. He also appeared in Behind the Candelabra, Austin Powers, and Tommy Boy. Both of his memoirs, Stories I Only Tell My Friends and Love Life, achieved New York Times Best Seller status. Lowe adapted his initial memoir into a touring production titled Stories I Only Tell My Friends: Live! More recently, Rob Lowe starred in and produced Fox’s Texas-based 9-1-1 spinoff, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and presently serves as host and producer for the top-rated game show on television, Fox’s The Floor. His Netflix comedy Unstable, created by Victor Fresco and co-starring his son, John Owen Lowe, drew inspiration from their online dynamic where John Owen frequently humorously teased his father. Looking ahead, Lowe is set to star opposite Crispin Glover in Bleecker Street’s The Third Parent. WME, Brillstein, and Latham & Watkins represent the actor.